The Oktoberfest (or Octoberfest) celebrations are kicking off this weekend in Orlando. As an Irish gal I’m sort of jealous, the Germans get to party for a good portion of the month while St. Patrick’s Day is only lasts a day. Doesn’t mean we can’t join in on the eating, dancing and drinking; so here is a list of parties taking place around town. I’ll keep adding to this post as I become aware of more events, and keep in mind most of these are 21-and-up unless otherwise noted.

Sept. 25: Oktoberfest 2009 at Wall Street Plaza in downtown Orlando: Chow down on German food and throw back some German beers from 5 – 9 p.m. You can either come in for free and pay for food and brew as you go or pay $20 for all-you-can-drink German beer during the event. On the street there will be brats and pretzels cooked to order and on the main stage Kid Dutch and The Heidelberg Hotshots.

Sept. 26:Orlando Brewing Oktoberfest 2009 at Orlando Brewing in Orlando: The kickoff party for their Oktoberfest special starts at noon and is a free block party where they will tap their new 2009 Oktoberfest Bier. There will be eating contests, live music by The Bavarians, a Cornhole competition, vendors and an “Oktoberfeast” VIP dinner at 6 p.m. for $30. And if you pay $15 for a 19 oz. beer stein you can receive two complimentary Oktoberfest brews through Oct. 24 and the Brewery’s Blonde, Red, Pale Ale, Brown and Oktoberfest beers for $4 (normally it’s $4 for a 16 oz.). Families are welcome to this event but anyone under 21 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

Oct. 3: Oktoberfest at House of Beer in Hunter’s Creek: It’s unlimited German food and beer for $30 (advance), $40 (day of) from 6 – 9 p.m. at the new beer lover’s bar. A DJ will spin mainly top 40 during the party, sorry no polka! There will be three beers you can choose from for the unlimited imbibing that include Franziskaner, Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Marzen and Tucher.

Oct. 10:Oktoberfest at Stardust Video and Coffee in Audubon Park Garden District: The popular video and coffee joint, also has a bar with full liquor so it will definitely be a party. The festivities start at 2 p.m. and last until after the sun sets. According to the press release there will be “Oompapa music, German food, Oktoberfestish Beers and some people in lederhosen.” The oompapa music is killing me and I thought I read Oktoberfetish instead of Oktoberfestish at first glance. What would an Oktoberfetish be anyway? An attraction to pumpkins?

Oct. 10:East Orlando OctoberFest at Waterford Lakes Town Center: Presented by the East Orlando Beer Festival folks, there will be more than 100 beers to sample for the $25 (advance) $35 (gate) ticket price. Plus free food from area restaurants (none I think are German), free soft drinks, bottled water and live entertainment (again, don’t think German). But there’s beer and that’s all that’s important, right?